BLOG: West Caldwell 2015 Football Preview

Yesterday, I previewed East Meck as a team that could turn recent struggles on the football field into success in 2015. Today I look at West Caldwell as another team that could be much better this season.

This young team showed signs of gaining confidence last season as they finished 4-7. One of those wins included a double overtime victory over Maiden 28-27. 4 wins in 2014 is a lot considering the previous 3 years they had only ONE victory while losing 32.

Chip English enters his 2nd season as the head coach at West with 6 starters back on both sides of the ball. He also has 15 lettermen back.

This team is still going to be relatively young in 2015, but they have some dynamite talent in some key areas.

On offense, junior QB Titus Tucker is back. As a sophomore, he threw for a thousand yards and 8 TD while rushing for 700 yards and 8 TD.

But the straw that stirs the drink on offense is RB Trustin Harper. Last season, he rushed for 11 hundred yards and 14 TD.

Another problem opposing coaches will have to deal with is Elijah Brooks. The sophomore is very fast and athletic and could line up in multiple positions this season for the Warriors.

With very slim numbers, some key members of the offense line will also be on the defensive line. One of those is Dalton Stepps, but also be on the lookout for freshman Isaiah Helms.

The defense surrendered way too many points last season (29 points per game) so if they are to make a leap, it will have to be on that side of the ball.

Linebacker Tykise Davidson is back after only playing 8 games in 2014. In limited time, he had 51 tackles and an interception.

The last time the Warriors finished above .500 was 2002 when they went 10-3 and won a share of the Mountain Valley Athletic Conference title. NOW, I'm not saying the Warriors are going to win the Southern District 7 Conference which may be the toughest 2A conference in the state. I will go ahead and give that honor to East Lincoln as the Mustangs are the favorites to not only win the conference, but also repeat at 2AA state champs. But in that race for 2nd place in the SD-7, West Caldwell could be in the thick of that pack.